Nipple with lateral port control



Jan. 29, 1963 Filed July 2. 1958 C. M. SCHWAB ETAL NIPPLE WITH LATERAL PORT CONTROL 2 SheetsfSheet 1 Jan. 29, 1963 c. M. scHwAB ETAL 3,075,586

NIPPLE WITH LATERAL PORT coNTRoL 2 'sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 2, 1958 INVENTORS Carl M. Schw'ab Gearge G.

Grlmmer d ATTORNEY Turner G. G qrwoo Fig United States Patent 3,075,586 Patented Jan. 29, 1963 Otiice 3,075,586 NPPLE WlTH LATERAL PORT CONTROL Carl M. Schwab, Pasadena, and George G. Grimmer and Turner G. Garwood, Dallas, Tex., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Otis Engineering Corporation,

Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Iuly 2, 1953, Ser. No. 746,217 Claims. (Cl. 166-224) This invention relates to well tools and more particularly to well tools providing lateral ports in a section of a tubing string or well pipe which may be selectively closed and opened.

It is often desirable to establish communication between the exterior and the interior of a tubing string through the wall of the tubing and to subsequently close the opening to deny communication therethrough.

Nipples having side doors or ports for providing fluid communication therethrough and devices for closing the ports have been common in the past. However many of these devices involve a port-closing tool which resides in the bore of the nipple thereby preventing the passage of other tools through the nipple when said port-closing tool is in place. Other ported nipples involve closing sleeves slidable from a position uncovering the port to a position closing the port. Still others involve a longitudinal oiset pocket adjacent the port into which a port-closing tool may be inserted. These latter types generally admit an unobstructed bore through the nipple when the portclosing tool is in place. The sliding sleeve type of device is subject to malfunction from failure of the sealing means of the sleeve and does not admit of ready repair of the sealing means as the sleeve is permanently mounted in the tubing string. The offset pocket type has the disadvantage of large overall dimensions and complicated equipment for installing the port-closing device as well as the probability or possibility of failure in an inclined well bore as the installation equipment is not well adapted to move the closing device to its proper offset position in such an installation. Additionally, both the sleeve type and the -oifset pocket type of ported nipple are expensive to manufacture.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a ported or side door nipple and closing device therefor which will overcome the disadvantages inherent with ex isting devices.

it is an object of the invention to provide a side door nipple and closing device which maintains a full open bore through the nipple as large as the bore of the adjacent tubing sections even when the closing device is in place.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ported nipple whose port is adapted to be closed by a closing device, the nipple being of small outside dimensions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nipple having a port and a closing device for the port wherein the nipple, the closing device and the operating equipment therefor are simple of construction and operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a ported nipple of the character described wherein the port of the nipple may be opened or closed by means of a flexible line operating mechanism.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a ported nipple and a closing device therefor, and an installing and a recovering tool for the closing device, the port of said nipple being laterally offset from the bore of the nipple and the closing device being installable in the port and removable therefrom without the necessity of moving the body of the installing tool or the removing tool laterally in the nipple.

Additional vobjects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of devices constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of one form of the device showing the ported nipple installed in a tubing string and the operating tool having the port-closing device thereon being lowered into position in the nipple for installation of the port-closing device therein;

FIGURE 2 is a View, similar to FIGURE 1, showing the operating tool in place in the nipple and the portclosing device installed in port-closing position;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIGURE 2, showing the port-closing device in place and the operating tool being withdrawn therefrom;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary View, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the port-closing device in place and the operating tool in position in the nipple to retrieve the portclosing device;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 4, showing the portclosing device retrieved from the nipple into the operating tool;

FEGURE 6 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a modified forrn of the ported nipple showing a port-closing device in an installing too-l while the installing tool is being lowered into said nipple;

FIGURE 7 is a View, similar to FIGURE 6, showing the installing tool in position in the nipple and the portcl-osing device installed in port-closing position;

FIGURE S is a view similar to FIGURE 7, showing the installing tool being withdrawn from the nipple;

FIGURE 9 is a View, similar to FIGURE 8, showing a retrieving tool in position in the nipple to retrieve the port-closing device; and

FIGURE l0 is a View, similar to FIGURE 9, showing the retrieving tool with the port-closing device removed from position in the nipple, the retrieving tool and portcl-osing device being in position to be retrieved from the tubing.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES l through 5 of the drawings, the numeral 1t) designates a nipple threadediyV connected to an upper tubing section 11 and to a coupling 12. yof a lower tubing section (not shown). A laterally projecting port lug 13 is welded or otherwise afxed in a lateral window 14 in the nipple and is provided with a passage 15 downwardly and outwardly inclined from the axis of the nipple, the axis of the passage of the lug and of the nipple being in the same plane. A port 17 through the wall of the lug communicates with the passage 15 of the lug at a point intermediate the ends of the passage. The passage 15 opens upwardly into the interior of the nipple. An equalizing port 18 extends angularly inwardly and downwardly from the lower end of the passage 15 of the lug to the inner face of the lug thereby providing an additional avenue of communication from the lower end of the passage 15 to the interior of the nipple.

The bore 19 of the lower part of the nipple below the lug 13 Ais the same as that of the upper tubing section 11, and the bore Ztl of the nipple above the lower bore 19 is enlarged. An abrupt upwardly facing annular stop :shoulder 21 is formed at the point of enlargement of the bore. An internal annular guide recess 22 having tapered upper and lower faces 23 and 24, respectively, is formed in the lower part of the bore spaced below the stop yshoulder 21.

A sleeve 25 having a `bore equal to the -bore 19` of the lower part of the nipple 'and extending above the lug 13 is installed in the bore 2i) of the upper part of the nipple and is supported on the stop shoulder 21 of the nipple. As shown, the lug 13 may protrude inwardly into the nipple a distance equal to the bore 19 of the lower part of the nipple, a slot 26 lbeing provided in the lower end of L the sleeve 25 `to accommodate the inward protrusion of the lug. The upper end 27 of the sleeve is cut olf at an angle, the longer side of the sleeve residing on the same side of the nipple as the Vlug and the upper part of the angled'end of the sleeve Ibeing directly above and aligned with the lug. A slot 28 is provided through the wall of the `sleeve in its yshorter side and extends the length of the shorter side. The slot is thus oriented opposite the lu-g `13. The purpose and function of the sleeve 25 will be more fully hereinafter explained.

A "port-closing plug 29 having -an upper O-ring seal means 30# and a lower O-ring seal means 31 on its outer surface is insertable into the Vpassage of the lug, the upper and lower O-'ring seal means sealing with the bore of the passage on either side of the port 17.

An installation tool 32 adapted to insert the plug into the passage 15 of the lug includes a body 33 having a guide and loca-ting key 34 thereon. The upper part of 'the body has ia'bore V35 opening to the upper end of said body, the lower part of the bore terminating approximately midway of the length of said body. A lateral window 36 in the side of the body opens to the lower end of the bore. The body 33 has a ramp 37 extending from the 'lower end of the bore downwardly and outwardly of the side of the body through the lateral window 36.

A plun-ger rod 38 is mounted in the bore of the body for slidable movement therein. The collar 39 afxed on theplunger rod by means of la guide pin 40 is located in an enlarged portion 41 of the upper part of the bore 35. A closing bushing 42 is threaded into the upper end of the enlarged portionof the bore of the body, the upward movement of the plunger rod in the body Ibeing limited Ybythe engagement of the collar with the bushing. The

engagement `of the collar with an upwardly facing annular stop shoulder 43 formed at the lower end of the enlarged portion 41 of the bore 33 limits downward movement of the plunger rod in the body. The guide pin 40 extends slidably'into a longitudinal slot 44 in the wall of the body to establish and maintain the orientation of the plunger rod within the body. A frangible pin 45 extends through aligned apertures in the body, the collar and the plunger rod to releasably hold the plunger rod in the upper position relative to the body shown in FIG- URE 1.

vThe lower end of the plunger rod is provided with an articulated or flexible connection 46 to which the plug holder 47 lis attached. .The llexible connection 46 includes la connecting link 48 having -a bifurcated upper end 49 attached by a pin 50 to the lower end of the vplunger rod for pivotal movement therewith, an additional similiar link V51 having `a bifurcated upper end 52 attached by a pin 53 to the lower end of the link 43 for pivotal movement therewith, land a third link 54 similarly attached by a pin 55 extending through its bifurcated upper end 56 to the lower end of the link 51.

The plug holder 47 is threadedly attached to the lower end of the link 54 and includes -a tubular holder body 5S having a tubular prong 59 mounted for slidable movement therein. An external -annular flange 60 on the upper `end of the prong is engageable with an inwardly extending rannular flange 61 in the lower end of the holder body to limit downward movement of the prong in the body. A V-shapedretainer spring 62 having up-wardly yand outwardly extending 'arm portions 63 extending into opposed slots 64 of the prong, is connected to the prong by means of va pin 65 extending through the prong and within the bight portion of the spring.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the arms of the spring extend outwardly through the slots of the prong and protrude outwardly and upwardly therefrom. The plug 29 is provided with a bore 66 extending longitudinally therethrough, anda downwardly facing internal annular shoulder 67 is provided in the bore by an enlarged portion 68 at the lower end thereof. The plug is thus installable on theprong, the arms of the retainer spring being re- --the str ingof vtubing by means of a flexible line.

siliently deflected inwardly as the bore 66 of the plugs' -mo-ves past the arms and the slots 64 of the prong and then springing outwardly to engage the downwardly facing shoulder 67 of the plug to retain the plug on the prong. It will be seen in FIGURE 1 that when the plug is installed on the prong, the lower end of the prong protrudes below the lower end ot the plug. The purpose of this relation of the prong and the plug will be more fully hereinafter explained.

The guide and locating key 34 -is disposed in a longitudinal slot 69 in the lower part ofthe body 33, the slot being oriented to face directly opposite to the lateral window in the body. The key is movable laterally in the slot from an inner to an outer position and is resiliently urged outwardly by a pair of lsprings 70 retained in the body and bearing iagainst the inside of the key. The upper and lower ends `of the key are .engageable with a downwardly extending retainer finger 71 and an upwardly extending retainer finger 72, respectively, welded or otherwise aiiixed to the body, to limit outward movement of the key in the slot.

A locatinglug 73 on the upper portion of the key projects outwardly of the key and is provided at its lower end with an abrupt `downwardly facing stop shoulder 74 engagea-ble with the stop shoulder 21 in the bore of the nipple in a manner to be more fully hereinafter described. A guide lug 75 of the key disposed below the locating lug 73 has upper and lower beveled part of the key and spaced from the locating lug projects outwardly from the key and is provided with beveled upper and lower shoulders 76 and 77, respectively. The upper shoulder 78 of the locating lug is similarly beveled.

The upperend of the plunger rod 38 is threaded at 79 yfor attachment to the lower end 80 of a string of the usual exible line operated tools, such string of tools including -a means for attaching the same to the flexible line, a sinker bar and a set of stroke jars (not shown).

In use, theplunger'rod is installed in the body, and the articulated or flexible Vconnection 46, including the connecting 'links 48, 51 and 54, is attached thereto, the plug holder 47 being threaded to the lower link 54. The port-closingplug 29 is mounted on the plug holder, and the guide pin 44 is installed in the collar to maintain the articulated connection in the orientation of FIGURE l whereby its axis of flexibility is in the-same plane as that of the ramp 37.

The plungerrod is moved to its upper-position in the body and is secured in position by the --shearable pin 45,

ythe flexible connection retracting the plug-holder and the plug upwardly into the body as shown in FIGURE l. The plunger rod-is then connected to the exible line operated tools, and the entire assembly is lowered into The beveled lower Ishoulder 77 of the guide lug of the key cams :theeke'y inwardly to retractedposition against the resilient force of the springs 70, whereby whenever it encounters an obstruction the operating tool may pass into and through the tubing string.

As the operating tool moves downwardly into the enlarged bore 20 of the upper part of the nipple, the key the short side of the nipple and the slot 28 therein. As the operating tool is lowered further, the key enters the slot 28, the guide lug ultimately being cammed inwardly by the stop shoulder 2l in the nipple to pass the shoulder. The guide lug then enters the guide recess 22 of the nipple whereby the downwardly facing stop shoulder 74 of the Akey engages the upwardly-facing shoulder 21 of the nipple to support the operatingtool in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

Downward blows delivered by the stroke jars of the string of ilexible line operated tools then shear the pin 45, moving the plunger rod 38 downwardly in the body. As the rod moves downwardly, the ramp 37 causes the plug and the plug holder to move downwardly Iand outwardly through the window 36 of the body and into the passage in the port lug 13. When the lower end of the prong 59 engages the lower end of the passage 15 its movement is stopped. Further downward movement of the plug and plug holder causes the prong to telescope upwardly in the holder body 58, the lower edges of the slots 64 of the plunger engaging the arm portions 63 of the spring to cam the arm portions inwardly out of engagement with the shoulder 67 in the plug. Downward movement of the plunger rod 38 in the body is ultimately stopped by the engagement of the lower end of the plug 29 with the lower end of the passage 15, as shown in FIGURE 2. With the plug in this position in the passage, the O-ring seal means 30 and 31 of the plug sealingly engage the walls of the passage on either side of the port 17 to close off flow through the port.

With the retainer spring thus disengaged from the plug, the plunger rod 38 is withdrawn upwardly into the body by an upward pull, the tubular prong 59 of the plug holder 47 being withdrawn from the plug 29 and retaining the retainer spring 62 therein, as shown in FIGURE 3, the articulated connection retractin-g the plug holder into the body 33 of the installation tool. A further upward pull on the plunger rod causes the operating tool to be removed upwardly from the nipple due to the engagement of the collar 39 with the bushing 42, the beveled -shoulders 76 and 78 of the key causing the key to be cammed inwardly to re-enter the tubing string 11 above the nipple.

When it is desired to remove the port-closing plug from position in the passage 15, a barbed retrieving prong 81 is installed in the plug holder body 58 in lieu o-f the tubular prong 59. The lower end of the retrieving prong is bifurcated to provide la pair of resilient downwardly extending lingers S2. An outwardly extending retrieving lug or barb 83 having an abrupt upwardly facing shoulder 85 is provided on each finger. The retrieving prong is retained in the holder body 47 for limited longitudinally slidable movement therein by means of a collar 86 threaded to the upper end of the prong and engageable with the upwardly facing internal annular shoulder 61 in said holder body.

In use, the retrieving prong is installed in the operating tool and the plunger rod is 'secured in its upper position in the body by means of the shearable pin so that the plug holder and the retrieving prong are retained in the body as shown in FIGURE 5. The operating tool is then lowered -into the tubing string by means of the ilexible line operated tools land the flexible line until the nip-ple 10 is reached, the key orienting the operating tool by its engagement with the `angled upper end 27 of the sleeve so that the window 36 of the body is aligned with the passage 15 of the nipple. The stop shoulder 74 of the key engages the stop shoulder 21 of the nipple to support the operating tool in position in the nipple in the same manner as described in connection with the installation of the plug.

Downward jarring blows are then delivered by the stroke jars -to shear the pin 45 and cause the plunger rod to move downwardly in the body, thereby moving the plug holder and the retrieving prong downwardly and outwardly of the body and into the passage 15. The tapered lower shoulders 85a of the retrieving lugs engage the upper end of -the bore 66 of the plug thereby carnming the lingers 82 inwardly as shown in FIGURE 4 whereby -the prong enters the plug. As the prong enters the plug, the retrieving lugs move below the internal annular shoulder 67 in the bore of the plug, the fingers then moving resiliently outwardly so that the lugs engage the shoulder of the plug.

An upward pull on the plunger rod then causes the retrieving prong to move upwardly and into the body of the operating tool, carrying with it the port-closing plug 29 (FIGURE 5). The port 17 of the port lug is thus reopened, permitting communication through the por-t to the interior of the nipple.

A further upward pull on the plunger rod causes the operating tool to be removed upwardly from the nipple, and the tool is then removed upwardly from the tubing string.

Manifestly the port-closing plug could be provided with a small orice through its wall at a point intermediate the O-ring seal means 30 and 31 if it is desired not to close olf the flow through the port 17 but rather to restrict or meter it.

It will thus Vbe seen that there has been shown and described a ported nipple together with a port-closing device therefor, the port-closing device being readily install-able and removable in the nipple for controlling the irow through fthe port.

It will also be seen that the bore through the nipple is at least as large as the bore of the tubing string in which it is installed whereby other well devices or tools may pass through the nipple. It will also be apparent that when the port-closing device is in port-closing position in the nipple, the bore of the nipple remains unobstructed whereby other tools may be passed therethrough.

It will further be seen that the dimensions of the nipple are small relative to the size of the tubing, thereby permitting installation in limited space. The lateral movement of the installation and retrieving tools of the operating tool is seen to be positively controlled, thereby obviating any installation or retrieving diculties in inclined well bores. The small mass of the plug 29 and of the laterally moving parts of the operating tool further insure that the plug and these parts may be moved laterally with a minimum of effort and difficulty.

It will also be seen that the port-closing means and the attendant seal means are completely removable from the well whereby their repair or inspection may be accomplished with ease and facility.

In FIGURES 6 through 10 is shown a second form of the invention. In this form a nipple 11G is connectable to an upper section 111 of a tubing string and by a coupling 112 to a lower section thereof. The upper part 113 of the bore of the nipple is enlarged over the bore of the adjacent upper tubing section while the lower part 114 o-f the bore is reduced to that of the upper tubing section to provide an abrupt upwardly facing annular stop shoulder 115. An internal annular guide recess 116 having beveled upper and lower shoulders 117 and 118 is formed in the reduced bore of the nipple and is spaced below the stop shoulder 115.

A tubular sleeve 119 whose inner diameter is the same as that of the upper tubing section is positioned in the enlarged upper portion 113 of the bore. The upper end 121 of the sleeve is cut at an angle to form a long side and a short side of the sleeve. A longitudinal slot 122 extends the length of the short side. The sleeve thus covers or conceals all the supporting annular stop shoulder save the portion which underlies the longitudinal slot 122 in the sleeve.

A laterally projecting port lug 123 is welded in a lateral window 124 in the nipple and extends into corresponding window 125 in the long side of the sleeve, the lug extending into the sleeve only as far as the inner surface thereof. A lateral passage 126 in the lug has its axis perpendicular to the axis of the nipple and opens to the interior of the nipple. A plurality of ports 127 provided in the Wall of the lug intermediate the open inner end and the closed outer end of the lug connect the passage 126 with the exterior of the nipple.

An inserting tool 12S for inserting a port-closing plug 129 into the passageway 115 is adapted to be` lowered into the nipple and manipulated for operation therein by 6 means of a flexible line operating mechanism in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The inserting tool includes a body 130 having a guide and locating key 131 disposed in a longitudinal slot 132 in the lower part thereof and movable inwardly and outwardly in the slot. The upper and lower ends of the key areengaged by downwardly and upwardly extending stop fingers 133 and 134, respectively, welded or otherwise afixed to the body, to limit outward movement of the key. A pair of springs 135 are housed in the body behind the key and bear against the inner face of the key to urge it to its outer position.

A guide boss 136 extends outwardly from the lower port of said key and is provided with beveled upwardly and downwardly facing shoulders 137 and 138. Spaced above the guide lug is an outwardly projecting locating lug `139 having anabrupt downwardly facing stop shoulder 140 at its lower end and a beveled upwardly facing shoulder 141 at its upperend.

The guide and locating key is moved inwardly against thebias of the springs 135 by engagement of the key with the wall of the tubing string as the tool is lowered therein. When the landing nipple is reached, the key moves outwardly into the enlarged upper part 113 of the bore of the nipple. As the tool is lowered further, the guide lug 136 of the key contacts the angled upper end 1210i the sleeve and is cammed to the short side of the sleeve and into the slot 122, the tool beingrotated therewith. The guide lug is deflected inwardly as its lower beveled shoulder engages the stop shoulder 115 of the nipple and then moves `outwardly into the guide recess 116 below the stop shoulder to allow the `downwardly facing shoulder 140 of the locating lug to engage the upwardly facing stop shoulder to support the tool in the nipple.

A lateral bore 142 is located in the body so that, when the body is thus supported inthe nipple by the Alocating lug on the key, the bore is aligned with the passage 126 of the port lug. An installing piston 143 is positioned in the bore and is movable in the bore. A retainer ring V144 having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the bore is welded or otherwise aixed in a counterbore 146 at the outerendof the bore and serves to retain the piston in the bore. An O- ring packingmeans 147 onthe exterior `of the ,piston provides sealing contact between the piston and the bore 142.

The port-closing plug 129 is adapted to be positioned in the retainer ring and to abut the o uter end of the installing piston, the outer end of the plug being flush with the outer surface of the bodywhen the vpiston is moved inwardly in the bore to the inner limit of its travel. The -plug is retained in position in the retainer ring by the frictional engagement of an outer O-ringrseal means 148 on the plug with the inner surface Aof the retainer ring. The outer O-ring seal `means and an inner O-ring seal means 149, spaced longitudinally on `the outer surface of the plug, are adapted to sealingly engage the walls of the passage 126 on either side of the ports 127 through the lug when the plugis in the passage.

A bushing 150 having a longitudinal bore 151 therethrough is threaded into lthe `upper end ofthe body. An operating piston 152having an O-ringsealmeans 152a for sealing contact with the bore is slidable longitudinally therein. An inwardly extending annular ange 153 at the upper end of the bore of the bushing limits upward movement of the piston in the bushing. A connecting rod 15,4 extends upwardly from the piston through the flange and is attached to the lower end 156 of a string of flexible line operated tools.

A tluid passageway 157 in the body extends from the inner end of the lateral bore 142 to the upper end of the body whereby the interior of the bore of the bushing 150 is in communication with the inner endof the lateral bore. A shearable pin 158 kreleasably secures the operating piston .in its upper position ,in vthe bore Aof the bushing.

With the installing piston moved to its extreme inner position and with the port-closing plug in position in the retainer ring and abutting the installing piston, the inner end .of the lateral bore is lled with an incompressible or hydraulic iiuid through the passageway 157. With the operating piston pinned in its extreme upper position in the bushing 15G, the bore of the bushing is similarly filled with the fluid, and bushing is threaded into the rupper end of the body. With the parts so assembled, when the sliearable pin is sheared and the operating piston is moved down in the bushing, the hydraulic fluid forces the installing piston and the plug outwardly.

1n use, the plug is installed in the lateral port of the body Vin non-protruding position, the operating piston being pinned in its upper position in the bore of the bushing, with bushing bore and the inner end of the lateral bore of the body tlled with a hydraulic iiuid.

The inserting tool is then lowered into the tubing string by means of the iiexible line operated too-ls and a i'lexible line. As the tool enters the nipple 110, the key 131 is moved laterally outwardly by the springs 135 into the enlarged upper part 113 of the bore of the nipple. The `guide boss 136 of the key engages the upper end of the sleeve 119 in the nipple, and the camming action or the angled upper end 121 ot the nipple on the guide boss causes the inserting tool to be rotated whereby the key 131 is aligned with the short side of the sleeve for entry into the slot 122 in the sleeve. As the inserting tool is further lowered in the nipple, the guide lug of the key is carnrned inwardly by the annular stop shoulder `to pass the stop shoulder and then enter into the guide recess 116, the abrupt downwardly facing 'stop shoulder 1453 of the locating lug of lthe key then engaging the Vstop shoulder in the nipple to support the inserting tool in the nipple.

With the inserting too-l thus installed in the nipple, the port-closing plug 129 carried by the tool is aligned with the lateral passage 126 of the port lug. By means of the exible line operated tools and the iiexible line,

downward jarring blows lare delivered through the connecting rod to the operating piston 152 to shear the pin 158 and -to move `the piston downwardly in the bushing V151). As the operating piston moves downwardly it forces the hydraulic fluid below it through the fluid passageway 157, thus moving the installing piston 143 and the plug outwardly of the body. The plug enters the passage 126 of the port lug and is moved therein to the position shown in FIGURE 7, the O-ring seal means of the plug sealing with the bore of the passage on either vside of the ports 127 to close oit ow between the ports and the passage.

An upward p ull on the connecting rod then causes the operating piston to move upwardly in the body, the decrease in pressure behind the installing piston causing the installing piston also to move inwardly in the body.

A spring (not shown) or other means could be installed in the lateral bore 142 of the body to assist the inward movement `of the installing piston to assure the movement of this piston to retracted position. A further upward pull on the connectingvrod then causes the inserting `tool to be moved upwardly from its supported position in the nip-ple (FIGURE 8), the upwardly facing beveled shoulders of the guide boss and thev locating boss causing the lkey to be cammed inwardly to retracted position whereby the tool may be removed from the well.

The port-closing plug 129 is provided with a longitudinal'hore 159 through said plug in order to prevent the entrapment of fluids within the closed outer end of the passage 126 of the port lug. A pair of intersecting slots 160 in the outer face of the installing piston and a bleed port 161 through the retainer ring 144 prevent the entrapment within the outer end of the lateral bore 142 of any such fluids which ilow from the longitudinal bore of the plug as the plug is installed in the passage of the port lug. An inwardly extending annular flange '162 at the inner end of the bore of the plug provides a retrieving shoulder 163 whose purpose and function will be more fully hereinafter described. The port-closing plug 129 is then left in the bore of the laterally projecting port plug 123 and prevents flow between the interior and exterior of the nipple 110.

When it is desired to remove the port-closing plug 129, the running tool 128 is provided with a retrieving piston 170 which is provided with a pair of resilient fingers 171 having outwardly extending lugs 172. The lugs 172 have rearwardly divergently extending cam surfaces 173 which are adapted to cam the fingers inwardly toward each other when the lugs enter the bore 162 of a portclosing plug 129. The abrupt inwardly facing shoulders 174 then engage the annular shoulder 163 of the portclosing plug 129 whereby inward movement of the retrieving piston 176 from the position shown in the FiG- URE 9 of the position shown in FIGURE 10 causes the port-closing plug 129 to be moved inwardly out of the passage 126 of the port lug 123.

When it is desired to remove the port-closing plug 129, the running tool 128 is provided with the retrieving piston 170 and the bore 151 of the bushing 150, the passage 157 and the inner end of the lateral bore 142 are filled with a non-compressible hydraulic fluid. The running tool 1218 is then lowered into the tubing string until the key 139 causes the lateral bore 142 to be positioned in alignment with the port lug 123 as shown in FIGURE 9. Downward jars are then imparted to the connecting rod 154 by means of the exible line operated tools (not shown) to cause the shear pin 158 to shear. Downward movement is then imparted to the operating piston 152 to cause the hydraulic iiuid to move the retrieving piston 170 outwardly whereby the resilient fingers move into the bore 162 of the port-closing plug until the abrupt shoulders 174 thereof move past the annular shoulder 163 of the port-closing plug 129, the resilience of the fingers then causing the fingers to move outwardly whereby the abrupt shoulders 174 of the iingers engage the annular stop shoulder 163 of the portclosing plug 129. An upward movement is then imparted to the operating piston 152 to cause the retrieving piston 17) to move inwardly to the retracted position shown in FIGURE 10. During such retracting movement of the retrieving piston 170, the resilient ngers 171 puli the port-closing plug 129 out of the bore 126 of the port plug 123 and into the lateral bore 142 of the body 139. Tue tool 12S may then be removed `from the nipple 116 in the manner described above leaving the ports 127 open providing communication between the interior and the exterior of the nipple.

It will not be seen that a new and improved well tool has been illustrated and described which includes a nipple connectable in a tubing string provided with a passage which extends at an angle'from the longitudinal passage of the nipple and that such passage is provided with ports which open to the exterior of the nipple whereby communication may be had between the interior and the exterior of the nipple. It will further be seen that such passage is disposed to the side of the longitudinal passage of the nipple whereby a plug may be inserted in the passage to prevent communication between the interior and exterior of the nipple without obstructing the longitudinal passage of the nipple whereby other tools may be run through on into the nipple.

It will further be seen that in the form of the well tool shown in FIGURES l through 5, the passage into which the plug is insertable extends at an angle of less than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the nipple while in the forms of the well tool shown in FIGURES 6 through 14 the passage extends at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the landing nipple.

It will further be seen that the offset passages are provided by port lugs which are affixed to the nipple by any suitable means, as by welding, and project outwardly 1t) therefrom in order to permit the holding of a plug in the passage without the plug obstructing the longitudinal passage of the landing nipple.

It will further be seen that new and improved running tools have been provided for inserting or installing the plugs in the port lug passages and for retrieving or removing the port-closing plugs therefrom by the use of exible line tools which impart jars to the running tools.

It will further be seen that in the form of the running tools shown in the yFIGURES 1 through 5, the installing and retrieving tube includes a body providing a beveled ramp 37 which guides the articulated section of the running tool at an angle to cause the port-closing plug to be angled into and out of the port lug passage.

It will further be seen that in another form of the running tool illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 10, hydraulically operated pistons are provided which move installing and retrieving pistons perpendicularly toward and away from the lateral passage 126 of the port lug to insert or remove the port-closing lug therein or therefrom.

It will be further seen that in all modifications of the running tool the inserting and retrieving operations are performed by means of flexible line tools which impart downward jars to the running tools.

It will further be seen that the landing nipple is provided with orienting means, such as the sleeves 25 and 119 for orienting the running tool in the landing nipple so that the plug inserting and removing means is properly aligned with the angled passage of the port lugs 13 or 123.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A running tool for use in an elongate tubular member having means providing a lateral passage extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member and communicating at its inner end with the interior of said elongate member, and running tool orienting means disposed in said elongate member in predetermined guiding relationship with the inner end of said lateral passage, said running tool including: a body having means thereon engageable with said orienting means to orient said body with respect to said lateral passage, said body having means for carrying a ow control device to be disposed in said lateral passage, said means on said body engageable with said orienting means disposing said carrying means in position wherein said carrying means is in alignment with said lateral passage; and means on said body movable longitudinally relative to said body for actuating said carrying means to move said lflow control device carried by said carrying means into said lateral passage.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said actuating means and said carrying means comprises: pistons movable reciprocally in vbores provided in said body along axes disposed at an angle with each other, said bores communicating with each other and having hydraulic fluid disposed therein whereby movement of one of said pistons causes movement of the other of said pistons, and one of said pistons has provided thereon said carrying means for said flow control device.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes: an articulated member in a passage provided in said body, said articulated member connecting said longitudinally movable means with said carrying means, said body having a ramp for causing said carrying means to move outwardly to move said flow control device in said first mentioned passage.

l 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said carrying means includes: an inserting arm movable laterally of said body -11 of said running tool, and a prong extending angularly from said arm and having means for releasably engaging the tlow control device.

5. The running tool of claim 1 wherein said orienting means includes: stop means' mounted on said body for lateral outward movement for engaging said elongate tubular member to limit longitudinal movement of the running tool in the elongate tubular member.

6. The running tool of claim l wherein said means engageable with said orienting means includes: stop means movably mounted on said body for engaging said elongate tubular member to limit longitudinal movement of the running tool in the elongate tubular member, said actuating means and said carrying means being pistons movable reciprocably in bores provided in said body .along axes disposed at an angle with each other, said bores communicating with each other and having hydraulic fluid disposed therein whereby movement of one of said pistons causes movement of the other of said pistons, said other piston having said flow control device carrying means mounted thereon.

7. The running tool of claim 1 wherein said means engageable with said orienting means includes: stop means movably mounted on said body for engaging said elongate tubular member to limit longitudinal movement of the running tool in the elongate tubular member, said actuating means including an articulated member in a passage provided in said body, said articulated member connecting said movable member with said carrying means, said body having -a ramp for causing `said carrying means to move outwardly to movesaid flow control device in said rst mentioned passage,

8. The running tool of claim 1 wherein said means lengageable with said orienting means includes: stop means movably mounted on said body for engaging said elongate tubular member to limit longitudinal movement of the running tool in the elongate tubular member, said carrying means including an inserting arm movable laterally in said body of said running tool and a prong extending angularly from said arm and having means for releasably engaging the flow control device.

9. The running tool of claim 4 wherein the engaging means comprises: a plurality of catch members having outer surfaces provided With catch shoulders, said catch members having means providing for movement of said catch shoulders between expanded and retracted positions whereby said catch shoulders are engaged and disengaged from said flow control device.

10. A well tool comprising: an elongate tubular member connectable in a tubing string; port means providing a passage extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member and communicating with the interior thereof, said port means having a port providing communication between the passage and exterior of the elongate member; running tool orienting mean-s disposed in said elongate member providing a surface extending angularly downwardly to a slot, said tubular member having therein an upwardly facing stop shoulder `defining the bottom of said slot; and a running tool movable into said elongate tubular member, said running tool having key means engageable with said surface of said orienting means and disposable in said slot for engaging said stop shoulder for properly positioning said running tool in said elongate tubular member, said running tool having carrying means for carrying a port closing means and holding the port closing means in alignment with said tirst mentioned passage when said running tool is properly positioned in said elongate tubular member, said running tool having actuating means connected to said carrying means for moving said carrying means into said rst mentioned passage for positioning a port closing means carried by said carrying means in said first mentioned passage.

1l. A well tool comprising: an elongate tubular member conneetable in a tubing string; port means providing a passage extending atan angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member and communicating with the interior thereof, said port means having a port providing communication between the passage and exterior oi the elongate member; running tool orienting means disposed in said elongate member providing a surface extending angularly downwardly to a slot, said tubular member having therein an upwardly facing stop shoulder dening the bottom of said slot; and a running tool movable into said elongate tubular member, said running tool having key means engageable with said surface of said orienting means and disposable in said slot for engaging said stop shoulder for properly positioning said running tool in said elongate tubular member, said running tool having carrying means 'for carrying a port closing means and holding the port closing means in alignment with said first mentioned passage when said running tool is properly positioned in said elongate tubular member, said running tool having actuating means for moving said carrying means into said rst mentioned passage for removing a port closing means from said lirst mentioned passage. v

l2. A well tool comprising: an elongate tubular member connectable in a tubing string; means providing a passage extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member and communicating with the interior thereof, said last mentioned means having a port providing communication between the passage and exterior of the elongate member; a port closing means positionable in said passage to prevent communication between the interior and the exterior of said nipple through said port in said passage; and running tool orienting means disposed in said elongate member whereby a running tool insertable in the elongate member may be aligned with said angled passage for inserting or removing said port closing means in said passage to prevent communication between the interior and the exterior of the nipple through said port and said passage,

said elongate tubular member having an unobstructed longitudinal passage of a diameter not less than the diameter of the passage of the tubing string.

13. The `running tool of claim 1 including: stop means movably mounted on said body for engaging said elongate tubular member to limit longitudinal movement of the running tool in the elongate tubular member, said carrying means including an inserting arm movable laterally of said running tool body and a prong extending angularly from said arm and having means for releasably engaging the ow control device, and means movable longitudinally relative to said ruiming tool body and actuating said inserting arm for moving said inserting arm laterally. Y

14. A well tool comprising: an elongate tubular member connectable in a well Iflow string and having a longitudinal How passage therethrough; means carried by said tubular member providing a lateral passage extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said elongate tubular member and communicating at one end with said longitudinal flow passage in said tubular member, said last mentioned means having a flow port providing communication between the exterior of said tubular member and the lateral passage of said lmeans intermediate the ends of said lateral passage, whereby uids may flow between the exterior of said tubular member and said lateral passage; and running tool orienting means disposed in the longitudinal flow passage of said elongate tubular member in predetermined guiding relationship with respect to the inner end of said lateral passage.

:15. A well tool of the character set forth in claim i4 wherein said means carried by said tubular member and providing said lateral passage is disposed laterally of the longitudinal ow passage of said tubular member whereby passage of well tools through said tubula member is not obstructed by said means.

References Cie in the le of this patent 14 Humason 2- Nov. 20, 1945 Howad et al. Dec. 29, 1953 McGowan et al. Iune 1, 1954 Wilcox July 16, 1957 McGowen Feb. 25, 1958 Spencer Oct. 14, 1958 

1. A RUNNING TOOL FOR USE IN AN ELONGATE TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING MEANS PROVIDING A LATERAL PASSAGE EXTENDING AT AN ANGLE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ELONGATE MEMBER AND COMMUNICATING AT ITS INNER END WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID ELONGATE MEMBER, AND RUNNING TOOL ORIENTING MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID ELONGATE MEMBER IN PREDETERMINED GUIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INNER END OF SAID LATERAL PASSAGE, SAID RUNNING TOOL INCLUDING: A BODY HAVING MEANS THEREON ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID ORIENTING MEANS SAID BODY HAVING MEANS FOR CARRYING A FLOW CONTROL DEVICE TO BE DISPOSED IN SAID LATERAL PASSAGE, SAID MEANS ON SAID BODY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID ORIENTING MEANS DISPOSING SAID CARRYING MEANS IN POSITION WHEREIN SAID CARRYING MEANS IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID LATERAL PASSAGE; AND MEANS ON SAID BODY MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY RELATIVE TO SAID BODY FOR ACTUATING SAID CARRYING MEANS TO MOVE SAID FLOW CONTROL DEVICE CARRIED BY SAID CARRYING MEANS INTO SAID LATERAL PASSAGE. 